About the Challenge

Judges' Bios

Sudith Heberling, Ph.D.
Director of Museum Services and Senior Historian, Heberling Associates, Inc.
Dr. Heberling has 25 years experience in cultural materials conservation and research. She has been curatorial expert for several large museums with extensive research experience in textiles and their conservation. She is married to Michael Husband, another YSC judge.

Richard Hudson, Ph.D.
Science Producer, Twin Cities Public Television, PBS
Dr. Hudson is the Emmy-award winning producer of the PBS series, Newton's Apple. He is currently producing a new PBS series, Dragonfly Television. Dr. Hudson was the 2004 recipient of the NSTA / Discovery Channel Faraday Award.

Michael Husband, Ph.D.
Senior Historian and Project Planner, Heberling Associates
Dr. Husband has over 30 years experience in historical and exhibit research, exhibit assessment and development, conservation, and has administered several large museums across the US. He is married to Judith Heberling, another YSC judge.

Dottie Yunger
Marine biologist
A marine biologist by training, Ms. Yunger's career has included researching sea turtles, hosting science expeditions for teachers and students, and training dolphins. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Divinity and studying ecotheology and the dialogue between science and religion.

Mark Oleksak
President, Showboard, Inc.
Mr. Oleksak is the owner of Showboard, Inc., a science fair resource company in business since 1985. Mr. Oleksak created the handbook, "A Recipe for a Successful Science Fair" and performs workshops for teachers in the United States, Europe, Canada, and South America. He works with school districts to help them communicate to their teachers and students about the advantages of doing successful science fair projects. Mr. Oleksak graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1987 with a double major in Management Information Systems and International Relations. He played professional football with the Miami Dolphins.

Linda Stevens
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
For many years, Linda was the director of the Smithsonian Institution NMNH Education Department. Recently retired from that post, Linda remains on staff for SI and works with scientists and the public on various projects.

William K. White
Resident Scientist, Faraday Studios
Mr. White is a biochemist having worked in the areas of molecular biology and protein science. He is currently Resident Scientist of Faraday Studios, handling research and development for that company. He is renowned for his expertise in design and fabrication of science and history museum exhibits. He is also an accomplished artist in stone.